For years the issue of medical marijuana has been a non-starter in Texas politics, with few legislators or elected officials even suggesting support for it. But times have changed. The current campaign season has seen two prominent Republicans, Gov. Rick Perry and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, come out in favor of it along with state Sen. Wendy Davis, the leading Democratic candidate for governor.

That's significant, and the issue should be discussed by the Legislature next year.

Lawmakers don't have to delve into decriminalization for recreational use. They can focus their discussion on allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana for specific ailments that don't respond to other treatments.

Granted, that could open up a can of worms if pot is permitted for "anxiety" or other nebulous conditions that are difficult to diagnose. But a carefully written law could avoid that trap yet deliver relief to others, even if their number is small.